Vanguard Explosion
Date: 6 Dec 1957

Here we see a test of a Vanguard launch vehicle for the U.S. International Geophysical Year (IGY) program. The goal was to place a satellite in Earth orbit in order to determine atmospheric density and conduct geodetic measurements. Malfunction in the first stage caused the vehicle to lose thrust after two seconds. The vehicle was destroyed.

Credit: U.S. Navy